The Indiana State Police will increase traffic enforcement from February 4 through February 17 by participating in Operation Pull Over (O.P.O.), a statewide traffic enforcement campaign that targets seatbelt and child restraint violations. Troopers will also be looking for impaired and dangerous driving.
    Troopers will be working overtime during this O.P.O. period targeting high traffic areas.
    Traffic deaths in Indiana decreased in 2006. The Indiana State Police would like to see yet another reduction in 2007 and will continue its commitment to making Indiana roadways safer through aggressive traffic enforcement and public education.
    The Indiana State Police would like to remind motorists of the following:
    Don’t drink and drive.
    Don’t follow too closely.
    Use seatbelt and child restraints.
    Avoid driving fatigued.
    Report drunk and erratic driving by dialing 911.
    Remember, highway safety should be a priority for all motorists, not just law enforcement.

    The Silver Creek High School Cheerleaders Competition Team have something to cheer about. Something to cheer really loudly about.
    The girls recently brought home the WCA (World Cheerleading Association) title. The squad competed in the Small Varsity, Level 5 division which is the toughest level.
    The team have experienced a very successful competition season with wins in each of the four competitions they competed in.
    The season began with tryouts in April. Since the team was chosen the girls have worked hard and practiced the competition routine while juggling jobs, studies, and cheering duties for both girls and boys basketball games.
    The 12-member team tasted their first victory in the Spirit of Indy held October 15 in Indianapolis. The girls then traveled to Evansville to compete in HalloJam before heading back to Indianapolis fro the Hoosier Cup Challenge.
    The girls again took first place at the Hoosier Cup competing in the Level 5 Small Varsity division, the hardest level of competition. The Hoosier Cup was held on December 16 and 17.
    Even though the girls were excelling in the competition arena, they still wanted more.
    They wanted to WCA National title.
    "They compete in this every year," stated Jenn Bobay-Manring, one of three coaches of the team.
    The WCA Nationals was held December 27-28 at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.
    The team Silver Creek faced for the title was one that was not unfamiliar. The team from Hamilton South was the same team the girls defeated during the first competition. Sticking to their regular practice schedule and with 12 girls determined to bring the title back to Sellersburg, Hamilton South again was defeated by the dedicated team.
    The team consisted of seniors Tori DeWees, Tiffany Baumann, Carrie Elrod, Amy Ehrhart and Brandi Nevins; juniors- Katie Alexander, Christy Cosby and Jade Davidson; sophomores- HelenNoel Rich and Kayla Chambers and freshmen Jenna McRae and Morgan Coquerille.
    The team is coached by Jenn Bobay-Manring, Karen Alexander and Amanda Luther.
    "They brought home the National title. The other competitions were regionals and locals. The national competition is teams from across the country that come to compete," Bobay-Manring added.
    The team had some major fundraisers to enable them the opportunity to compete.
    "The fundraisers helped us pay for competition fees, hotels, traveling cost, uniforms, gym rental, shoes, competition practice outfits and choreography, that is a big one," Bobay-Manring stated.
    The girls fees totaled over $12,000.
    Fundraisers held included helping to park cars at Sellersburg Celebrates!, a cheerleading clinic, yard sale, where the girls sold personal belongings to raise the money and soliciting cheerleading sponsors at the beginning of the season.
    "What was left over was divided up and the parents had to pay for it," Bobay-Manring stated.
    She added, "We really want to send a special thank you to Dunn Orthodontics, Southern Indiana Youth Boosters and all the parents of the girls."
    Dunn Orthodontics, a local business, has called and wanted to help the team celebrate their National title.
    "I received a call from Dunn Orthodontics today and they want to throw the girls a pizza party," stated Karen Alexander. "The amazing thing is they don’t even have any ties to any of the girls. They are just that supportive."
    The first question the girls were asked was if they felt the hard work had paid off. In a true close-knit team atmosphere, the answer was a resounding ‘yes’ all in unison.
    Each team member was asked the same question and given the opportunity to answer, "How did you feel after all the hard work and dedication to be named WCA National Champions?"
    Tiffany Baumann- "I think the hard work really paid off because we beat a school that was huge, Hamilton South, they have 700 kids in one class. We have 12 really talented girls who practiced and pushed themselves. That made me push myself even harder because I seen them looking to us as seniors. We all worked really well together."
    HelenNoel Rich- "We are not just teammates, we’re all friends. We worked well together and we worked well together from the beginning. We knew this could be our year to win and because we worked so well as a team, we accomplished our goal."
    Tori DeWees- "We bonded well as a team and had a lot of support from our families, coaches, friends and teammates."
    Kayla Chambers, Katie Alexander and Jenna McRae- The three wanted to combine a quote. They worked together as a team and stated, "After all the practices of running. Looking back on the hard practices and the running, we now realize it all paid off. We didn’t understand why at the time but we totally understand now."
    Amy Ehrhart- "We began our year with three or four injuries, two knees, one ankle, back, tail bone, just multiple injuries, but with all the injuries, we still managed to pull through and win first place within more than one competition. I would also like to thank my parents, Rodney and Lisa."
    Carrie Elrod- It was such an honor to receive the National Championship honor this year as a senior. As a senior I felt like a leader of the group. I felt like they all looked up to us and made me work harder."
    The girls went on to add that each of their talented coaches brought something different to the squad.
    Many of the members of the squad had ties to Bobay-Manring since elementary school.
    According to the squad, Karen was the team’s den mother, Jenn was the coach who kept them on track. She had coached many of the members since fifth grade. She disciplined the squad but they still had fun while Amanda was always the upbeat coach. She is the optimist and balanced out each coach.
    "Amanda is the optimist in the middle of the two pessimist," Bobay-Manring stated as she pointed to herself and Alexander.
    Alexander added, "She knew all along we were going to win Nationals. She said it from the beginning."
    The squad beautiful trophy now sits in a place of honor in the school’s new trophy case.

     An early morning fire Sunday destroyed an apartment building located at Main and Market Streets in Charlestown.
   The fire was reported to the Charlestown Police Department at 4:27 a.m."An individual walked into the station and stated they were walking by and saw smoke coming from 291 Market Street. There is an apartment upstairs and downstairs," stated Chuck Ledbetter, Assistant Chief of the Charlestown Police Department. "Within one minute two officers were on the scene. By that time flames were showing. They notified dispatch to knock-out the fire department."
    According to Ledbetter, the officers attempted to determine if anyone was inside at the time of the fire.
    "They just got about 10 feet inside the door. Officer Clark came to debris and suffered minor burns. The fire department was notified of a possible rescue. The residents were not home at the time," Ledbetter added.
    The residents along the strip were evacuated by the police department by request of the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department.
    "When we first got their we anticipate the worst. We had a forced evacuation to Green Alley," stated Lee Slaughter, Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department Chief.
    The Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department was assisted by the New Washington Volunteer Fire Department, Sellersburg Volunteer Fire Department and the Utica Volunteer Fire Department.
    "New Washington, Utica and Sellersburg came to help. Sellersburg actually sent two, one ladder and one engine. The engine was at the station covering for the town while we were fighting the fire," Slaughter added.
    According to Slaughter, at the peak of the fire 35 members of the volunteer fire department were on hand battling the blaze.
    "We had 35 guys including our Cadets," Slaughter said. "Our Cadets probably have more training than the regular fire fighters. They 24 hours of Basic Fire Fighter Training that every fire fighter in the state has. Then we run them through it again and again and again."
    Ledbetter praised the efforts of the fire department.
    "They did a remarkable job. It is amazing that they stopped the fire from traveling south to the rest of the building. There was a fire break between 291 and the old Western Auto store," Ledbetter explained. "I do not know how they were able to do that. That would have been a lot of fuel with all the storage."
    The police department called out 10 officers to assist with command and the perimeter.
    "The police, I cannot say enough about them and their work," Slaughter said. "Whatever we needed, they did. Their command worked well with our command."
    The fire department had difficulties fighting the blaze due to the extreme weather conditions. The water was freezing and the excessive winds made the situation more difficult. The frigid temperatures sent four fire fighters to the Saint Catherine Regional Hospital for hypothermia.
    "I had five guys sent to the hospital. Four were treated and released for exposure and one fell and sprained a wrist," Slaughter explained. "Those guys didn’t want to stop til the fire was out. They went beyond their limits. Everybody did a fantastic job."
    Saint Catherine Regional Hospital CEO Jeff Probus called Charlestown Mayor Mike Hall and asked what they could do to help. They responded by calling in more personnel and arriving at the Command Center to help the fire fighters.
    The Charlestown Street Department was even called to help at the scene as three members spread salt and scraped ice off Market Street. Ice was quick to form from the excess water.
    Charlestown Mayor Mike Hall responded by opening City Hall around 7 a.m. The fire department made the Council Chambers their rehab center. The members of the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department’s Auxiliary manned the rehab center.
    "The Women’s Auxiliary went well beyond what they do. They cooked, kept us warm and wrapped us in blankets and heating pads to keep the guys warm. They even had new socks to keep us dry," Slaughter added.
    The roof on the building collapsed causing even more difficulties for the fire fighters to overcome. When the roof collapsed some debris landed on Market Street. The call was made to knock down the remaining front wall of the building.
    The scene was cleared at 1:15 p.m. The fire is still under investigation by the State Fire Marshall’s office. The structure at 291 Market Street has frozen water that is now making the area unaccessible.
    "A lot of what they need to get to at 291 Market had a lot of water inside that is now solid. It will not be accessible until the temperatures rise a little," stated Ledbetter.
    Slaughter added, "County Detective Randy Burton is handling the investigation now. He wanted more information than what he had. He called the Fire Marshall’s Office in. They are up there right now (early Monday morning). It was probably electrical. Through the interviews, the people stated they had furnace problems."
    According to Ledbetter, the police department is totally impressed with the way the fire department handled the situation.
    "The citizens of Charlestown should be very thankful for the fire department they have. All 10 of us stayed busy the entire time, but that is nothing in comparison to what the fire department did. There are a lot of heros on the fire department. Some of those guys had to be pulled away for their own health and well being."
    Ledbetter concluded, "The police department is not only impressed with the response of the city and the hospital but also the fire department and how they handled the fire with the temperatures and winds."
    Slaughter was quick to praise the efforts of the entire city.
    "Everybody did a fantastic job. It made me proud to be the chief of the Charlestown Volunteer Fire Department. The street department was spreading salt, the gas company was there and said whatever we needed they would do, they just sat and waited. The electric company quickly restored power to the rest of the building. They restored it to Jessi’s so we didn’t have to shut them down. The water company, they were there from the beginning. They made sure the pumps were going."
    Slaughter continued, "Susan Riley had floor plans to one of the buildings. She had those ready for us and stayed the day to help in any way that she could."
    Slaughter had a list of those who had helped in ensuring everyone’s safety during the fire. His list included: Charlestown Police Department, Mayor Mike Hall for opening City Hall to use as a rehab area, Ladies Auxiliary, McDonald’s, City of Charlestown Water Department, City of Charlestown Street Department, V.F.W. Post 1427 for the food and shelter for displaced residents, Bob and Terry O’Leary for assistance at scene, Red Cross, Duke Energy, Vectren Energy, New Washington Volunteer Fire Department, Sellersburg Volunteer Fire Department, Utica Volunteer Fire Department, Susan Riley, Saint Catherine Regional Hospital and CEO Jeff Probus and the North Clark Outreach Center.
    Charlestown Mayor Mike Hall was thankful for the city’s outpouring of help.
    "People from the city were dropping by blankets and jackets for the fire fighters and those who were displaced," Hall said. "People from the town were just bringing stuff by. We truly appreciate the way the town came together. The VFW fed people, Copper Kettle and McDonald’s gave coffee and sandwiches. Everybody was just very generous."
    Hall concluded, "It’s a tragic event when you lose property. I am pleased nobody was hurt and I’m thankful for that. The fire department was very professional in what they did. It’s amazing it did not take the rest of the block. My hats off to the volunteer fire department."

    The Sellersburg Police Department has three new faces.
   Recently Chief Russ Whelan accepted applications for the Reserves. From those applications, three young men have been added to the Reserve program.
    The three new faces are brothers, Daniel Cotton and Michael Cotton and Troy Smith.
   The three are still training in different aspects of becoming a Reserve. The Reserves have completed EVOC Training, a 40-hour pre basic, pressure points control tactics, a handguns tactics class and 40-hours on dispatch. Currently each are training with their Field Training Officers.
   Daniel Cotton
   Cotton said that so far his training has been, "fairly tough, not real hard but sometimes challenging."
   He has always wanted to become a police officer. Cotton did not really have any surprises throughout his training.
   "I pretty much knew what it was. I didn’t really have any surprises."
   Cotton grew up in Sellersburg so becoming a Reserve for Sellersburg was a natural fit.
   "This is my hometown. I grew up here. It just made sense," Cotton added.
   Learning something new is always a challenge to anyone accepting the task. Cotton took a few moments before answering what was the hardest part of the training for him.
   "Probably the Criminal Law classes. I have never studied it before. It was all new to me," he added.
   The 28-year old Sellersburg resident has enjoyed riding with his Field Training Officers.
   "My favorite part of the training has been riding with my FTO’s, Drew LaMaster, Matt Minich and Todd Knight. I have really enjoyed riding along with them," Cotton concluded.
   Michael Cotton
   Michael is the 26-year old brother of Daniel. He grew up in Sellersburg but now resides in Charlestown.
   He has a different take on the training so far.
   "It has been very dull and repetitive but a lot of it has been very good. Some of the things from day to day have been dull but the majority of it has been interesting. I have enjoyed learning tactics. It’s a good time," Cotton said.
   Cotton was excited when he first learned he had been chosen to become a Reserve for the Sellersburg Police.
   "I was excited. I was excited about being able to get out their and ride again. To be able to get out on the streets and get at it again," Cotton said.
   Unlike his brother, Daniel, Michael did not always have a dream of becoming a police officer.
   "It actually never crossed my mind before three years ago. But since then I have been doing the process ever since," Cotton stated.
   When asked why he wanted to become a Reserve for the Sellersburg Police Department, he stated, "I grew up in Sellersburg. It just seemed like the right thing to do."
   The training Cotton has endured so far has not really surprised him but the hardest part of his training has been the agility.
   Along with the hard part comes an enjoyable part for Cotton.
   "My favorite part is definitely my ride alongs with my FTO Todd Knight. He is teaching me how to do the job."
   Troy Smith
   Smith said the training the reserves have completed so far has been a bit of a challenge.
   "We’ve been through a whole lot. As far as me, personally, it has definitely been challenging. It’s been very useful for me, not just for Sellersburg but also since I work as a Corrections Officer, it’s been real beneficial for me."
   Smith, 31, is just grateful for the opportunity that he has been given by the Sellersburg Police Department.
   "I was just excited. I was really happy to be offered the opportunity to do it," he stated when asked what his first thought was after being told he had been chosen to become a Reserve for the Sellersburg Police Department.
   Smith had several uncles that were fire fighters when he was growing up. He credits seeing them in uniform for his desire to become a police officer.
   "I have always wanted to be a police officer ever since I was little. I had a lot of uncles that were fire fighters and I guess seeing them in uniform, I just took my own road of wanting to be a police officer," Smith explained.
   Smith is a 1993 graduate of Silver Creek High School and grew up in Memphis. He is ready to help protect and serve his hometown.
   "My parents still live in Memphis. I couldn’t think of a better department to be on than my hometown department. I figured I would just give it a shot and here I am," Smith stated.
   Smith agreed with Daniel and Michael Cotton, "I haven’t really had any surprises yet. I kinda knew what was going to happen going in."
   For Smith the hardest part of his training has been trying to find the time to train for Sellersburg while maintaining his full-time job as a Corrections Officer in Floyd County.
   "It’s been difficult trying to juggle my full-time job and be available to get the training," Smith added. "The training, I just hate to miss it. The training helps you out so much that I don’t want to miss it."
   Smith, who now resides in New Albany, has enjoyed the overall training he has received becoming a reserve for Sellersburg. After a few moments he said his favorite part of the training was, "I would have to say the range and the taser training."
   The three reserves received taser training on January 25 from Drew LaMaster. The training concluded with demonstrations of how the taser works. Sellersburg Chief Russ Whelan led by example as he was the first to be tased during the training exercise. Consequently Daniel Cotton and Troy Smith also were tased by trainer Drew LaMaster. Throughout the training, fellow reserve J.T. Gardner and Gary Fenner, can now tell curious residents what it feels like to be tased.